Listen, ginger hair dye is having a moment, and we are here for it. In fact, ginger hair is always having a moment, in our opinion. Anyone blessed with naturally gorgeous ginger locks won't necessarily have to snap on a pair of gloves and be on the hunt for the best hair dyes. But for those of us wanting to get the look, we've found the best ginger hair dye so that you can bring out your inner Stacey Dooley.
Salon appointments can be expensive. Once you see those dreaded roots coming through, it's so easy to throw money at your nearest salon in a panic for the next available appointment. Using a hair dye from home means that you can cut back on costs, with the dyes in our list starting from just £3.76. Affordable or what?
Best ginger hair dyes at a glance:
Best overall ginger hair dye: Clairol Nice'n Easy Crème, Permanent, 8WR Golden Auburn, £3.76 on Amazon
Best highly rated ginger hair dye: Clairol Nice'n Easy Crème, Permanent, 6R Light Auburn, £7.59 on Amazon
Best semi-permanent ginger hair dye: Adore Shining, Semi-Permanent, 30 Ginger, £6.49 on Amazon
While ginger does happen to be a shade of red, you might be looking for something a bit more natural than bright red hair dye. But if you think that achieving a subtle and natural-looking dye job from the comfort of your own home is next to impossible, then think again. We say if Stacey can do it, so can we.
Between a shade of auburn and blonde, Stacey's exact dye is named 8WR Golden Auburn. So, if you're not quite after auburn hair dye and you're leaning more toward the ginger side, we've found all the right dyes for you. Here are the best ginger hair dyes on the high street so you can get those fabulous fiery locks.
SHOP: The best ginger hair dyes
Best overall ginger hair dye
AmazonDelivering a natural-looking colour with a blend of three different tones to deliver highlights and lowlights, the Clairol Nice'n Easy Crème, Permanent Hair Dye in 8WR Golden Auburn is Stacey Dooley's go-to shade. Given how affordable it is, we're snapping it up immediately so we can get in on the ginger hair trend.
Pros
- Permanent colour that lasts up to 28 washes
- We love the blend of three tones to deliver natural highlights
- Reviews note that the oil-infused dye is gentle on the scalp
Cons
- Not as vibrant as some reviewers expected
Best highly-rated ginger hair dye
AmazonAnother shade in the Clairol Nice'n Easy Crème Permanent Hair Dye range is 6R Light Auburn. As one of the highest-rated box dyes on Amazon currently, we think this ginger dye definitely deserves a spot on our shortlist. Reviewers say since they've dyed their hair this colour, they've been mistaken for a natural redhead and received so many compliments on this hair colour.
Pros
- Permanent colour that lasts up to 28 washes
- We love the blend of three tones to deliver natural highlights
- Reviews praise that the oil-infused dye is gentle on the scalp
Cons
- Reviews note it does have some brown undertones
best semi-permanent ginger hair dye
AmazonThe Adore Shining Semi Permanent Hair Colour in 30 Ginger is perfect for a refresh in between dyes or for adding a ginger tone to your hair. A true ginger shade, it combines shades of golden copper for the perfect vibrant finish. It contains aloe vera to nourish the hair and soothe the scalp and is free from ammonia, alcohol and peroxide.
Pros
- Semi-permanent colour
- Contains aloe vera to nourish hair
- We love that it is free from ammonia, alcohol and peroxide
Cons
- Reviews warn that the consistency is quite runny
Best nourishing ginger hair dye
Superdrugwww.tesco.com
We love this innovative hair dye from the Garnier Good Permanent Hair Dye range in the shade Tumeric Copper 7.43. With a similar consistency to the Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food Masks, this hair dye comes in a pot. Containing nourishing natural ingredients like shea butter, this vegan formula leaves hair feeling healthy, glossy and vibrant.
Pros
- Reviewers say this permanent colour lasts up to 8 weeks
- Natural origin formula free from ammonia
- We always love a formula that is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free
Cons
- Some customers said it was a messy application, so be careful
Best conditioning ginger hair dye
AmazonA conditioner enriched with honey, the L'Oréal Paris Semi-Permanent Hair Dye in 734 Rich Honey Blonde is a fab choice if you're wanting to make the move to ginger. Reviewers compare the shade to almost resembling a strawberry blonde. 734 Rich Honey Blonde adds a subtle ginger tint to your hair without the use of ammonia.
Pros
- Semi-permanent colour that lasts up to 28 washes
- Reviewers love that it is enriched with moisturising honey
- Free from ammonia which is a must in our books
Cons
- Not as long-lasting colour as other options
Best organic ginger hair dye
Amazon
Not only does it come with a nourishing quinoa mask to use after application, but this Naturtint Permanent Hair Dye in 8C Copper Blonde also contains certified organic oils, like olive oleic acid and meadowfoam seed oil, to nourish hair. Made with an overwhelming majority of natural ingredients, it's also vegan-friendly and free from ammonia, parabens and silicones. Win-win.
Pros
- Accompanied by a cheeky hair mask to use after application
- We love the use of natural plant and seed extracts
- Free from ammonia, parabens and silicones - which is a must
Cons
- Reviews say it may come out a dark red shade for some
Best henna ginger hair dye
AmazonWant to move away from traditional hair dyes and try out henna? The It's Pure Organic Henna Hair Dye in Strawberry Blonde is all organic, vegan-friendly and free from harmful ingredients. These nourishing ingredients won't damage your hair health, tend to be suitable for all skin types (including sensitive skin), and you're left with a fab natural ginger tint on your hair. What's not to love?
Pros
- We celebrate that this formula is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive
- Natural origin formula free from ammonia
- Reviews note that this is a vegan-friendly recipe
Cons
- Some customers were underwhelmed by the mutedness of the shade
FAQs
What shade is ginger hair?
Ginger is a shade of red that sits somewhere between blonde and copper. It's sometimes used interchangeably with strawberry blonde. The difference between ginger and copper hair dye is that ginger tends to have more shades of blonde undertones, whereas copper has distinctly orange undertones. Ginger dyes actually tend to have a much more natural result, whereas copper appears more vibrant.
Does ginger hair dye fade?
Unfortunately, most red hair dyes can take a bit of maintenance. Red hair shades are some of the quickest fading in the hair dye world. But don't fear. There are ways around it, and it doesn't have to cost loads either. Here's how to keep red hair from fading.
How to keep ginger hair dye from fading?
If your hair is in need of a refresh, it doesn't mean you have to dye it every time. You can always use colour-refreshing gloss masks or glaze masks to bring the colour through the hair again. However, to stop ginger hair dye from fading in the first place, there are some things you should look out for that make your colour fade faster.
Switch the shampoo: Try and use products without drying chemicals like sulphates, parabens, silicones and alcohols. Not only are they bad for your hair in general, but any shampoos with harsh chemicals will also strip the colour from your hair. Using shampoo for red hair will help to maintain your colour.
Ditch the heat: Whether it's hot water in the shower or using curlers, hairdryers and straighteners - try to cut back on the heat. The use of heat not only damages your hair, but this head damage will also contribute to fading hair colour. Always use heat protectant spray!
Stay in the shade: In the same sense that artificial heat is bad for your hair, the sun can also fade your colour faster. Try and stick to the shade or wear hats when you're out in the sun. The rays will lighten your hair and can remove pigment and vibrancy.
Samantha' Sam'Price is a Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Products Writer at Closer magazine. In 2021, Sam began her journey as a Storytelling Executive at Closer and heatworld on an internship, creating beauty and fashion content across these brands. It was 2022 when Sam was employed as a Commercial Content Writer writing about Family Life on Yours, Mother & Baby and Spirit & Destiny. Now, she specialises in beauty, fashion and wellness content across many brands.